I read a short fiction book this week called The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo. It’s message is not specifically Christian, but one can find underlying spiritual themes. The concluding message of the book is that love and stories are what change the world.
That’s something I’ve often pondered, – how stories have been important in shaping my life. How I want to write my stories in the hope they will not be forgotten. There is no doubt in my mind that there is such a variety of stories in Scripture, not only for the lessons that they teach us, but also so that we may all find characters we relate to.
You see stories remind us who we are, but also show us what we are capable of becoming. I am the daughter of Rose & Marty, granddaughter of General & Ita, Hubert & Alice. I was born in 1974 and grew up in a small town. I learned about life from my family, but also from stories in the Bible and most any other book I could get my hands on.
I read about women who overcame incredible odds to accomplish important things that many people thought they were incapable of doing. Women in Scripture like Deborah, Ruth and Esther. Women who lived more recently like Fannie Crosby – the blind hymn writer; Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom; Helen Keller, who attended college despite being blind and deaf. I also found fictional heroines like Anne of Green Gables and Lucy Pevensie.
From each of these women, I take lessons and inspiration. In Scripture – all of the stories interweave into the story of God. Our Father is the best storyteller and teacher ever. If we will truly pay attention, we will see not only this His love and stories change and grow us, but they teach us of His graciousness, kindness and faithfulness. What could we learn that is better than that?! When you look for the stories, you will find His love.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Cindy